Saffin calls on O’Farrell Government to stop slugging pensioners
Page MP Janelle Saffin has slammed the O’Farrell Government for taking part of the Federal Government’s recent pension increase away from public housing tenants.
Premier O’Farrell has announced a hike in public housing rents from March next year.
Ms Saffin said the NSW Government is using Labor’s pension increase as an excuse to hit public housing tenants.
“This cash grab will affect about 1400 public housing tenants in Page.
“The Federal Labor Government is delivering a boost for pensioners to help them make ends meet, but Barry O’Farrell wants to take a slice of it for himself.
“Local pensioners are sick and tired of seeing the NSW Government hit pensioners every time the Federal Labor Government gives them a bit of extra support.
“All pensioners in Page have received a lump sum payment from the Federal Government in recent weeks of $250 for singles and $380 for couples. From next March they will get a permanent boost to their regular payments.
“But Barry O’Farrell’s decision means a maximum rate single pensioner in public housing will be paying an extra $84.50 in rent a year.
“Federal Labor is delivering the pension increase as a separate, stand-alone supplement. The accepted practise is to leave pension supplements alone when public housing rents are calculated.
“In 2009 when the Australian Labor Government brought in the biggest ever increase to the pension, I lobbied the then State government to quarantine the increase from public housing rent rises,” Ms Saffin said.
“Barry O’Farrell has betrayed local pensioners.”
June 15, 2012
Media contact: Lee Duncan 0448 158 150
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